100 ms·
> Mass gets cancelled out there, ... Two equal airplanes but with different weight can glide the same distance, same glide angle, but the heavier plane will ha
by jonsen 5y ago
> Mass gets cancelled out there, ...
Two equal airplanes but with different weight can glide the same distance, same glide angle, but the heavier plane will have higher airspeed to give the extra lift needed for the extra weight.
- roeles 5y agoThis is mostly true, but due to a small Reynolds effect the heavier plane should actually perform a little bit better. What you describe is why gliders sometimes carry water as ballast in their wings. It enables the same lift/drag ratio at a higher speed, at the cost of a higher stall speed.